HB 2351 -- Health Insurance Coverage for Autism
Sponsor: Page
Beginning January 1, 2009, this bill requires all health
insurance carriers and health benefit plans to provide coverage
to persons younger than 21 years of age for the diagnosis and
treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Carriers are prohibited
from denying coverage for individuals who are diagnosed with the
disorder. The health plan benefits will include coverage for
behavior analysis which will be subject to a $50,000 maximum
benefit with no limit on the number of doctor visits. Provider
charges for treatments for health conditions unrelated to autism
will not be applied to the $50,000 maximum. Deductibles,
co-insurance, and benefit limits for the disorder cannot exceed
those assessed for a general physical illness under the health
insurance plan. The Department of Health and Senior Services
must establish standards to be utilized by health benefit plans
for the credentialing of autism service providers. The
provisions of the bill do not apply to health benefit plans
offered solely to individuals or through small employers.